This Wednesday, December 4, 2024 will remain a significant date in French political history. For the first time since 1962, a government was censored by the National Assembly, illustrating the deep political instability.
Prime Minister Michel Barnier, appointed by Emmanuel Macron without a clear majority, found himself faced with an improbable coalition. The National Rally (RN) and the new Popular Front (NFP), usually opposed, have united their strengths to bring down the executive.
It all started last Monday when Barnier used article 49.3 of the Constitution to have a social security financing bill without parliamentary vote. A risky bet that ended in a bitter failure.
Wednesday evening, the censorship motion was adopted with 331 votes, largely above the required threshold of 288 deputies. Marine Le Pen, who described the budget “taking the French hostage”, and leftist training courses converged to overthrow the government.
Michel Barnier, aware of his precarious situation, delivered a last discourse full of resignation, hoping to avoid “institutional destabilization”. In vain.
President Emmanuel Macron, put under pressure and criticized by the opposition, should receive official government resignation in the coming hours, opening up a new uncertain political sequence.
